By breaking down physical barriers, consumer internet businesses are reshaping how people shop, connect, learn, and play. The new habits they’re cultivating are also unlocking the next leg of growth for the industry, which has gained 7.7% over the past six months, almost identical to the S&P 500.
However, long-term winners that can stand the test of time are rare in this space because competition is fierce with many well-capitalized companies. Keeping that in mind, here are three internet stocks we think can generate sustainable market-beating returns.
Fiverr (FVRR)
Market Cap: $1.04 billion
Based in Tel Aviv, Fiverr (NYSE:FVRR) operates a fixed price global freelance marketplace for digital services.
Why Are We Fans of FVRR?
- Customers are spending more money on its platform as its average revenue per buyer has increased by 17.4% annually over the last two years
- Performance over the past three years shows its incremental sales were extremely profitable, as its annual earnings per share growth of 52.1% outpaced its revenue gains
- Free cash flow margin increased by 9.7 percentage points over the last few years, giving the company more capital to invest or return to shareholders
At $28.90 per share, Fiverr trades at 12.3x forward EV/EBITDA. Is now a good time to buy? Find out in our full research report, it’s free.
Upwork (UPWK)
Market Cap: $1.79 billion
Formed through the 2013 merger of Elance and oDesk, Upwork (NASDAQ:UPWK) is an online platform where businesses and independent professionals connect to get work done.
Why Are We Positive On UPWK?
- 8.3% annual increases in its average revenue per customer over the last two years show its platform is resonating with power users
- Additional sales over the last three years increased its profitability as the 395% annual growth in its earnings per share outpaced its revenue
- Free cash flow margin expanded by 27 percentage points over the last few years, providing additional flexibility for investments and share buybacks/dividends
Upwork is trading at $13.55 per share, or 10.3x forward EV/EBITDA. Is now the right time to buy? See for yourself in our comprehensive research report, it’s free.
Alphabet (GOOGL)
Market Cap: $2.18 trillion
Started by Stanford students Larry Page and Sergey Brin in a Menlo Park garage, Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL) is the parent company of the eponymous Google Search engine, Google Cloud Platform, and YouTube.
Why Is GOOGL a Top Pick?
- Alphabet’s dominant Google Search sits on the pantheon of the best businesses ever. This is reflected in its robust long-term revenue growth and elite operating margin.
- The company’s profit margins have become even higher over time, speaking to its scale advantages and operating efficiency not only in its core Search business but also in Google Cloud Platform and YouTube.
- Revenue growth and increasing operating margins are the key ingredients for strong EPS growth. Google has these, and when also factoring in its share repurchases, you can see why EPS has exploded over the long term.
Alphabet’s stock price of $179.48 implies a valuation ratio of 19.8x forward price-to-earnings. Is now the time to initiate a position? Find out in our full research report, it’s free.
High-Quality Stocks for All Market Conditions
The market surged in 2024 and reached record highs after Donald Trump’s presidential victory in November, but questions about new economic policies are adding much uncertainty for 2025.
While the crowd speculates what might happen next, we’re homing in on the companies that can succeed regardless of the political or macroeconomic environment. Put yourself in the driver’s seat and build a durable portfolio by checking out our Top 5 Strong Momentum Stocks for this week. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 183% over the last five years (as of March 31st 2025).
Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,545% between March 2020 and March 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-small-cap company Exlservice (+354% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today for free. Find your next big winner with StockStory today. Find your next big winner with StockStory today